How do you feel about food stamps?
A friend of mine and myself got into a big debate last night over the necessity of food stamps for the American people (the broke people*). We didn't end up gouging each others eyes out, but I did take some great offense to it. See, she comes from a sort of poor family. Two girls, mother, and father that didn't ever have that much money because mother could barely ever find a job and whatsoever. Her father was really strict on money. Turn the water heater off when not using it, unplug everything, close the blinds, can all the food, bake your own bread, etc. So they actually lived sort of well off, considering. They never had food stamps or government help. I come from a sort of different background. Two girls, single mother working sometimes three jobs at a time. She finally cut back to one though, once government help came in. My sister and I grew up on food stamps, section eight housing, and medicaid. It helped a lot! So we actually did have toys under our tree for Christmas and even went to Disney world and Universal studios! (We live in Florida and it's sort of weird if you haven't been and you've lived here your whole life). What sort of pissed me off was my friend says my mother shouldn't have gotten the help, that my mother could have done it on her own. She should have kept working three jobs at a time and we would have been fine. That sort of pissed me off because it sounds like she is saying my mother is a lazy a**. Should my mother have had to live her life with three jobs at a time? If we got rid of food stamps and people all across the states had to do this, what do you think would derive from this? Also, if everyone canned food and only bought food from farmers markets (cheapest place to buy food), what would happen to all the companies of chips and snacks? Would only rich people buy it? Would the companies fall apart? Agriculture would definitely be a booming business, so do you think that would hurt or hinder the country? So this all sort of started from a Republican vs Democratic debate -my friend being very Republican and me a Democratic. I just wanted to hear others views on it. Do you think food stamps is an unnecessary program? P.S. Sorry I wrote so much! I'm very much into this kind of crap! Can't wait to get answers! All answers are helpful!
Why would a job application ask about food stamps?
It all boils down to money, plain and simple. If businesses want a tax break, they are encouraged to hire people who receive government benefits, child support, and felons, regardless of if they aren't capable of doing the job. Employers will pass up a potential employee with a good employment record that answers no to all of the WOTC questions for one that answers yes to the questions with no skills and a horrible employment record, just to get the tax break. Unless you're a military veteran or disabled in some way, don't expect to get a job if you answer no to the government assistance, child support, felon questions. If you see this questionnaire at the end of an application and your answers are all no, just exit out and keep looking. You will not get the job, unless the company is not aware of the WOTC or they're just in desperate need of someone. It's just the way it is now. If you cannot answer yes to any of the WOTC questions, go back to school and get a skilled trade that not anyone can do. You will not find any employer that employs skilled workers asking these questions. Its just a fact.
Why can't food stamp purchases be restricted to healthy foods?
I agree. I think to qualify for food stamps FIRST you should need to pass a drug test. Actually, drug test them every month. And I think the ability to buy whatever you want should be taken away completely. Not only do people abuse it in ways you mentioned, but they also find ways to sell their foodstamps for cash so they can buy cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs. Tax payers should not have to pay to support people who want to buy those things. The system has become less about helping the needy and more about helping the lazy. Whatever happened to being too proud to accept help? If you want that kind of lifestyle, then work hard for it the way the rest of us do. I wont judge you for drinking or smoking, if you have a job and pay your taxes for it. If I ran that system, I would instead make people come to a "food bank" type of place, where they would be given beans, rice, fruit, vegetable and necessities, based off of the size of their family. edit<<< I feel I needed to add something. I am glad that welfare exists to help the needy, and I have used it myself before to get by. Anyone can go through a rough time, and that is what it is for. No child should go without. But really halloween candy is not a necessity, and besides that, its free to take your kids trick or treating. Going without candy is NOT going without! But people using it because they are too lazy to work, or people who actually turn down jobs because they dont want to lose their welfare (and i have met people like that) are ruining the system. People who sell the foodstamps for drug money (yes, i have met them too) are ruining the system. And parents who use the money to buy twinkies, doughnuts, frozen pizzas, and other junk food, are ruining their lives and health, and who is going to pay the taxes for their health costs when they get diabetes? Eating healthy is NOT more expensive than eating junk. That is a load of crud. Anyone who says that obviously needs to take a health and nutrition class, perhaps a cooking class (maybe not a bad idea for people on welfare) I work full time and my monthly food budget for my husband and I is less than 300 dollars a month, and we dont eat frozen, processed crap!
If you want food stamps take a drug test?
Yes
What was the saddest thing you saw involving food stamps?
I know several people over the years that have had to rely on food stamps at one time or another. I help at a food pantry give away occasionally at the the 3rd week of the month and you wouldn't believe the families that can't make it through to the end of the month. Another thing that's sad is prepackaged foods are the cheapest and the most unhealthiest so families usually have to buy them because sometimes fresh fruits, vegetables and meats don't last long and are more expensive. It's too bad we can't make fresh foods more available so people can eat better and stay healthier.
Lie about child support to get food stamps?
Hi I'm a 22 year old single mom that recently applied for food stamps in California ... When the lady who was pretty bitchy asked me if I got child support I said no then she asked me why not? I got nervous and said his dad passed away idk why I said it it just slipped out his dad is not dead and is pretty involved in his life even though we are not together he does not however give me money he'll only buy him diapers or wipes when I need him and sometimes transfer money to my account to help pay for day care ... I buy his clothes shoes food and other stuff he needs with the money I make from being a waitress.... Well anyway I got my card today but that lie is haunting me still and I don't want to get caught and go to jail so I haven't used it.... I'm wondering if I call and say I made a mistake or want to make changes to my case they will be leniant ... Help? Ideas on what I should I say or do